Mums join forces to bust breastfeeding myths

Date published: 23 February 2007

Mums from Greater Manchester are joining forces with a pioneering midwife and a professional artist to help dispel myths about breastfeeding.

Members of the Baby Bistro breastfeeding support network are giving their ideas for a book of amusing art to encourage more women to breastfeed their babies.

The project is being led by Val Finigan, infant feeding co-ordinator for Pennine Acute Trust, who, with the help of Trust LIME arts co-ordinator Rob Vale, successfully secured £5,575 from the National Lottery’s Awards for All fund.

Val believes that top myths include:

• Breastfeeding causes saggy breasts!
• You’ll never get out the house as breastfed babies are always feeding
• Babies don’t thrive on breast milk

Benefits to breast-fed babies include perfect nutrition for the first six months, helping protect them against stomach bugs and chest infections, and cutting the chance of being overweight in later childhood.  Benefits to mums who breastfeed include weight loss, making it easier for their wombs to return to normal, and  reducing the risk of pre-menopausal breast and ovarian cancer.

Val said: "We don’t want mums put off breastfeeding because of myths, and the book will tackle that with humour. We want real mums who breastfeed to give their views and suggestions because at the end of the day, they are the experts."